Uses of Information Systems – Conclusion

Uses of Information Systems – Conclusion

5.1 Information and Data within an organisation
Data enters a company’s information system either as external or internal data and output may likewise go to external or internal destinations. As data flows through an organisation it is processes in a variety of ways and presented in a variety of forms. At each stage, information can be of differing degrees of quality and this can be affected by how much it is processed or presented. For information to be useful, it must be of a consistently high quality.

5.2 Information Systems within an organisation
Businesses are made up of a wide variety of people with a wide variety of roles. All businesses depend on each of these people playing their part. People throughout the organisation need information, whether their role is at the operational, tactical or strategic level. Simple data processing systems do not afford all the facilities required by these people. Information systems are required to transform transaction data into a form that is useful to managers.

5.3 Management Information Systems
MIS are specialist systems used to assist management within an organisation. Effective use of MIS can be a huge benefit to decision makers. Drawing input from a transaction processing system, the MIS facilitate planning and provide access to live data concerning operations within an organisation. Data from throughout an organisation is summarised in a way relevant to users.

5.4 Strategies used within Management Information Systems
The use of MIS is part of an overall business strategy within an organisation and is maintained as such. A large number of factors influence MIS, both internal and external, and its success or failure depends on its ability to adapt. Consequently, a thoroughly considered information strategy is essential to plan for the future and to manage change within an organisation’s environment.

5.5 Developments and Change within Management Information Systems
Systems may fail through poor research and planning. To avoid this, changes within MIS and the changes MIS impose upon an organisation must be well managed. Many organisations benefit from decision support systems and expert systems, in addition to MIS, which can recommend and explain course of action or even make necessary decisions.

5.6 Security and Legal Issues within a Management Information System
Many potential security problems accompany new technologies. These threats must be taken seriously and guarded against, lest data is destroyed or removed either by accident or on purpose. Legislation exists to deal with the use and abuse of ICT. Specifically the Data Protection Act 1998, the Copyright Designs and Patents Act 1998 and the Computer Misuse Act 1990 are addressed. These laws have implications for organisations which must ensure their employees are not using company systems for illegal purposes.

5.7 User Support and Training within a Management Information System
Many people do not use ICT efficiently because they have inefficient ways of working. As a result, companies must manage training for all employees in a way that gets the best results, both in terms of productivity and motivation. This training can be provided in a number of ways and many training methods available to companies are also available to private individuals. Support must be provided for people who need help when using their computers, and there are a variety of methods of providing this.

5.8 The Social Impact of Management Information Systems
MIS have had a wide, often unnoticed, impact on individuals, organisations and society and this impact has affected how many individuals plan for the future and organise daily operations. Both the working life and the leisure time of many people has been addressed as a result. Our generation now lives in an environment that is very different from the environment our parents grew up in, and many of these differences are either a direct result or an indirect result of the use of MIS.